Travel dilemma

BigSteveLondon

I was wondering if any if you could offer some advice on this dilemma.

Heading to Cornwall from London in August, a long ol drive. I have a 2010 Honda CRV, and I’ve done the journey once before, a few years ago, with my partner and 2 children (no car seats). 

We now have a a toddler in a car seat and because of the isofix base of the particular model, it’s so wide that it can’t be in the middle of the back row, but rather using one of the side seats. This means the remaining space is quite tight for the 2 13yo kids. For normal journeys around it’s manageable, but for a long drive to Cornwall impossible. 

I’ve looked into hiring a 7 seater for a week and prices are over £1000. Or I could buy another smaller based car seat, but I’ll have to convey its safety is of similar standard to get that past my partner lol. Splitting us up on the train and car logistically would be a nightmare too. 

Any thoughts? 

AdrianC

It's perfectly possible. It might not be optimal, or particularly comfortable, but it's certainly not impossible.

Break the journey into two.

It's only a five-hour journey (normally... August may make it slower, especially the Cornish end), so two and a half hours, then a decent-length break for lunch and a wander round, then two and a half hours. Half-way time-wise is somewhere around Somerset. You should easily be able to find something you'll all be happy to waste a few hours doing there...

Or break it into two days, stay overnight somewhere round Somerset, and then split each day into two - an hour and a bit each stretch. Swap the older kids round so that they each get a stint in the middle and at the edge.

barbiedoll

Adrian is right, breaking the journey does make sense. However, if you want to drive right through, make it an adventure and do what we used to do....leave London at around 2-3 am. Give the kids blankets, take lots of drinks and stop at the truckers snack wagons, you can stretch your legs and get some fresh air. We used to take a break every two hours, you'll be in Cornwall nice and early, and the scenery on the way down is beautiful at dawn.

Are you using the motorways or the A303? We much prefer the A303, you'll get the caravans and the milk/potato lorries, but not too many if you leave really early. Hope you have a lovely trip! 

ontheroad1970

In August the 303 is hell.  I'd definitely say that the idea of leaving in the small hours is definitely a sound one.  

BigSteveLondon

barbiedoll said:

Adrian is right, breaking the journey does make sense. However, if you want to drive right through, make it an adventure and do what we used to do....leave London at around 2-3 am. Give the kids blankets, take lots of drinks and stop at the truckers snack wagons, you can stretch your legs and get some fresh air. We used to take a break every two hours, you'll be in Cornwall nice and early, and the scenery on the way down is beautiful at dawn.

Are you using the motorways or the A303? We much prefer the A303, you'll get the caravans and the milk/potato lorries, but not too many if you leave really early. Hope you have a lovely trip! 

This version of the journey is exactly what we did the first time. Left 3am leaned chairs back. Kids slept until service station at half way and we got their breakfast and teeth washed.

But as is with car seat left hand passenger, the middle seat is a mini seat, so leaning twins back won’t work at all. 

BigSteveLondon

AdrianC said:

It's perfectly possible. It might not be optimal, or particularly comfortable, but it's certainly not impossible.

Break the journey into two.

It's only a five-hour journey (normally... August may make it slower, especially the Cornish end), so two and a half hours, then a decent-length break for lunch and a wander round, then two and a half hours. Half-way time-wise is somewhere around Somerset. You should easily be able to find something you'll all be happy to waste a few hours doing there...

Or break it into two days, stay overnight somewhere round Somerset, and then split each day into two - an hour and a bit each stretch. Swap the older kids round so that they each get a stint in the middle and at the edge.

Thanks Adrian. Breaking up might just have to do it because last time I it took us several hours to get there. 

Cornwall to me is like a lovely/disgusting sandwich. The bread (top and bottom) is foul and rotten, but the middle (filling) is exquisite. 😂 

boobyd

As others have said,early leaving,and stop on way.
Presume you will use M4 then pick up 303 around NewburyAndover?
Another way is to M4 Swindon,pick up A361 and go to A39 and use that into Cornwall,
It is longer but depends where you staying.

jimjames

Surely it would be cheaper to hire another car and drive 2 cars there rather than a 7 seater? But even hotel on route would be less than £1000 for a night

Jaybee_16

Last time I took holiday in Cornwall I booked a lovely and relatively cheap hotel outside Yeovil. Leaving London on Friday afternoon is never a nice experience but was easier knowing I only had to get halfway that afternoon.
Definitely recommended.

daveyjp

Whatever you do outward you need to do on the return to miss everyone leaving at 9am on changeover day and spending 8 hours getting to Wiltshire.

born_again

daveyjp said:

Whatever you do outward you need to do on the return to miss everyone leaving at 9am on changeover day and spending 8 hours getting to Wiltshire.

Or spend the day where you are. Then travel back in the evening once everyone else has gone home. 
We do that all the time. You can always find somewhere quiet where one of the drivers can go and sit and have a sleep for a while. Then other driver can sleep in the car while not driving.
Also has the bonus kids are tired out for trip home.